Longings

Remember when you were happy and carefree all the time? When you had no idea what "looking good" really meant? When choosing an outfit was easy no matter your weight or shape?

Do you remember how when you were a child you lived in a world you fully and totally trusted, a world where there was no room for failures or mistakes? Remember when a painful scratch was made better by a hug and a kiss? Remember how easy it was to switch from tears to laughter?


Oh, how I long for that lost world...

"Little Bee", a novel by Chris Cleave.

I suppose we all have our own personal ways to chose the books we read. Older books call me, not necessarily "classics" but just older, off the beaten path.  This preference of mine could make me feel quite lonely in the sense that no one I know has heard about any of the writers I mention.

I am constantly prowling flea markets, garage sales, and charity shops in search of something that catches my eye. I first look at the cover (yes, I know, one should never judge a book by it's cover, but who really listens to good advise?) then open the first page and read the first few words. I'd know right there and then whether or not I'll take it home with me.  It's almost like love at first sight, a connection, a chemistry. 

In my searches I also find that in addition to the cover and the first few words, the size of the book plays a role. I absolutely love small books that are easy to carry and rest on my chest and "still my heart."  

A couple of days ago I visited our local library and just as I was passing the "newer book section" I spotted "Little Bee." The bright yellow cover caught my eye and so did the very first words.

This story is totally different from my usual preference because when I read I want to escape. I don't want to be reminded of reality, per say and yet, this writer managed to turn harsh, mundane daily living issues into sheer poetry. I finished the book last night and there were tears in my eyes. The feelings of sadness and joy have lingered all day long...

It seems almost appropriate that chance made me pick this book at precisely this time of the year when we are getting ready to sit at the table with loved ones and give thanks for all we have, and try and forget all that we don't have.  I hope to hold on to the message I found in "Little Bee" not only on Thanksgiving Day, but everyday.

It was 30 years ago today...

It's our wedding anniversary. No elaborate plans have been made. We are not big on birthdays or holidays in general, however, I can say that after 30 years of marriage I still leave and find silly romantic notes on the kitchen counter, just because. I still get flowers for no reason at all. We still enjoy to spend our evenings together watching a movie, just the two of us.  These habits are perplexing to our son who swears we are "weird" LOL.

We may be weird but we are happy. It's been quite a journey, full of  many obstacles and triumphs.  My only wish is that God keeps us together and allows us to continue down the road for many more years. Tonight we'll raise our glasses and say: "Come grow old with me, the best is yet to be."


Note- Photo from Weheartit.com

Tiny treasures

My daughter is a "list maker" kind of girl. Unlike her mother, she actually follows the lists she makes, while I, well, I forget to read them, never mind follow them :) Anyway, she wanted to start her holiday shopping early so we went to our most favorite store: Anthropology. Visiting that place is entering a magical, incredible world. I actually feel overwhelmed by all there is to see. So, there we were, trying to stay focused when I spotted the most incredible salt & pepper shakers tucked away in a corner inside a beautiful cabinet! Regardles the fact that I do not need another set, once they were in my hand, I HAD to get them!

Then, to make my day even more special, I discovered what I believe is, a condiment set!

 I was mesmerized by the spoon.

Having breakfast this morning made me feel like I was Alice in Wonderland. How fun it was to spread marmalade on the muffin as my dear husband smiled shaking his head!

I seem to be drawn to tiny treasures and they abound throughout my home.  Inside cabinets...

On the side server...

Hanging from lamps...

On chairs...

Atop a candle...

This coming season has a certain "pull" that makes people want to go above and beyond, to be extravagant and "large." It's an effort that makes us tired and stressed. An effort that does not allow us to truly enjoy and capture what it all really means. I say, I'm keeping my holidays simple. I will give gifts with meaning instead of a pricey tag, I will not be pulled into this insane competition. Hopefully, the tiny treasures I'll give to those I hold dear will bring them the same joy they bring me.

May you  always find beauty in small things...

Consider the Birds

Consider the birds, and how they sing,

Giving thanks to God, with voices that ring.

Joyful and gracious, they awake to say,

"Thank you Lord for a brand new day"

Why are they so happy and so inspired?

While humans moan, because they're still tired?

What do they know that we haven't got?

We struggle so hard to get out of the cot.

Maybe they know that yesterday is gone,

And new hope begins at the break of dawn.

They are so happy to still have life,

Forgetting yesterday and all it's strife.

They'll soar high and breath fresh air,

Start a new nest or whatever they dare.

Glad for today and ignoring the past,

Chancing the odds, they'll have a blast.

Considering the birds, what have we learned?

Yesterday is gone, so why be concerned?

Look forward to the blessings a new day will bring,

And rise up early and begin to sing.

Poem by  Gary R. Ferris
Photo by Magickalgraphics.com

Guess who's coming to town?!

I am a Christmas baby. No, really. I was born on Christmas Day. In an ideal world my Christmases should  have been double joyful, as it were, my holidays used to be quite sad. My mother chose that particular time of the year to reminisce about her childhood and mourn every relative that had passed away.  I never had a birthday party the reason being it fell on "a too special day, nobody would come" but I always had a cake and many, many gifts.

I never really noticed how bizarre my Christmas-birthdays used to be until I grew up and had a chance to compare it to other people's but by that time I didn't care. I too, got depressed and thought of those "who were no longer with us."

It was only when I met my husband and had my first baby that I discovered the sheer joy and importance of this time of year. It was as if a thick veil had been lifted and I saw light and heard music all around.

Getting the tree, choosing the ornaments, writing letters to Santa, leaving him cookies, singing Christmas carols...I believe I enjoyed it more than my children did! and what a thrill it was to go to the Mall and see him sitting there with his beautiful red suit!

The children have grown and the celebrations are a bit different but I have to confess that on Christmas Eve, when Santa goes around our town sitting atop a Fire Engine, I still rush to the door and wave as he goes by and I still get goosebumps and teary eyed. For a brief  moment, I allow myself to belief everything is beautiful, there is love for everyone and that yes, there is a Santa Claus!

Note- photo from Weheartit.com